The three United Nations agencies tasked with ending hunger and boosting rural development have committed to strengthening their collaboration to help countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on achieving Goal 2 Zero Hunger.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding that comes into force today.

"This Memorandum will be very important to enhance even more the collaboration, coordination and synergies between the three agencies, especially at country level. Working closely together is fundamental to better support our Member Countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," said FAO's Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

"Leveraging our collective strengths has always been at the core of the partnership between FAO, IFAD and WFP," said Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD.

"This MOU is not just a legal document, but a real tool to support new and innovative ways of working together to maximize our joint contribution to Agenda 2030 and transform rural areas into vibrant places where families can thrive," he said.

"We're working together more broadly and more effectively than ever before - because the humanitarian conditions today demand it. And it does not matter who gets the credit as long as people who need our help benefit. This new era of collaboration and cooperation means that the work we do will be more efficient and effective, and will have a greater impact as we march toward our goal of Zero Hunger," said WFP's Executive Director David Beasley.

During the signing event, the three Rome Based Agencies' leaders expressed gratitude to Italy and highlighted Italy's role not only as host country of all three agencies but also as a strong advocate of the continuous strengthening of RBA collaboration.